School Blog

The end of the winter season does not mean that there is no life in Sierra Nevada. The National Park and its ski resort offer a wide variety of activities with which to continue discovering this unique landscape during the summer. From taking a dip at an altitude of over 2,000 metres, enjoying the sunshine of the mountains, to entertaining the little ones, not forgetting the hiking and cycling routes with ascents to the main peaks during the months of July and August.

In summer, the peaks of the Sierra Nevada national park change colour from white to green, brown and blue. This is the time to discover its fauna and flora, see its lagoons, walk through the lofty places of these spectacular mountains, and enjoy their tranquillity at the end of the ski season.

If what you like is hiking, you can explore the Sulayr trail, which crosses the Sierra Nevada. This route is divided into 19 sections which can be covered over several days, although there are other, smaller paths that you can cover in a single day. You can also do horse-riding and mountain biking.

We recommend visiting the Dornajo visitor centre, where you can obtain information on many different footpaths, and on accommodation and restaurants in the area. There you can also take a leaflet or route map of the Sierra Nevada.

Beginners can rent their material from Borreguiles, located at the top of the Sierra Nevada, adjacent to the beginners' area.

The Sierra Nevada never sleeps. At night, the atmosphere is impressive in the tapas bars, pubs and clubs. There are activities throughout the year, even when there is no snow. Don't miss it!

Paseo de los Tristes literally means Promenade of the Sad. This square runs parallel to the River Darro and owes its name to the fact that funeral corteges used to pass through here on their way up to the cemetery behind the Alhambra.

Both the square and the original fountain were built in 1609 when the area was redesigned and it has always been a very lively place. In times gone by, fiestas and celebrations would be held here and at one time the River Darro itself was covered over with boards to act as a stage for small bullfights.

The first bridge you reach is called "Puente de las Chirimias" or the "Pipers' Bridge" and although there may have originally been an Arab bridge in this same spot, the bridge you can see today was rebuilt in 1882.

Next to it is a small, three-storey square house (also built in 1609) which sheltered the musicians who played at the various celebrations. The bottom floor was used by bailiffs and minor officials, and the town council would occupy the second floor, with the musicians on the top floor. It was later sold in the 18th century, and used for accommodation. It has now been restored and is the headquarters for the Historical and Cultural Association of Granada.

At the end of the square there is another bridge: the Puente del Aljibillo and refers to the aljibe or water cistern that used to exist on the promenade on the other side of the river.

If you cross over the bridge you can take a left and go for a walk along the Camino del Avellano to the Fuente del Avellano. This walk offers some magnificent views of the Sacromonte and Albaicín areas. The fountain was also the meeting place for a literary group headed by Angel Ganivet.

Our training courses for Spanish teachers are aimed at those who want to start teaching Spanish as a foreign language or those who have already taught and want to perfect or refresh their technique with new points of view.

The programme has an emphasis on practical approaches, giving teachers the tools to achieve dynamic and effective classes. We focus on skills need to facilitate work for oral and written production, provide Spanish teachers with the techniques for effective and cognitive management of Spanish learning/teaching resources, contrast different teaching methods and reflect on the importance of  oral expression.

The course is broken into two modules: theoretical training and cultural activities.

A important part of the cultural activities and visits are our hiking tours in local natural parks.

In Granada province you will find one of Andalucia's two national parks, the Sierra Nevada, a mountainous region containing the two highest peaks in the Iberian Peninsula and whose summits are often snow-capped.

The province of Granada has also many different natural areas including many places of great environmental value.

In all of them you can find a wide variety of plant and animal species, many of which are native to the area.

Sierra Nevada will host the first Snow Running World Championship on February 4 and 5, 2022 with the participation of the best runners of this emerging discipline of mountain races.

The first snow running world championship will consist of two races; the first, called SkySnow Running Vertical, will be held at dawn on February 4 with a route of 4.3 kilometers with 950 meters of vertical ascent to 3.050 meters of altitude. The second, SkySnow Running Classic, will be held at nightfall on February 5 on a line of 12.7 kilometers and a vertical climb of 925 meters.

The designation of Sierra Nevada came after the Spanish Federation of Mountaineering and Climbing presented the candidacy of Granada ski station - where official races of this discipline have been held since 2012. The landscape characteristics of the route, which runs through the ski area, have made it the largest snow running event in Europe for several years.

We offer Spanish course programmes for secondary schools all year round. Spanish lessons take place in the morning from Monday to Friday. Students participate generally in 4 lessons of 45 minutes per day. The level groups have a maximum of 10 students.

The morning classes are complemented with daily cultural activities, such as guided visits to the Alhambra and the old Arabic quarter Albaicín. Our groups visit a Flamenco performance with dinner at the Sacromonte and go for a guided trip to the coast during the weekend.

If they wish so, we can organize a guided hike in one of the natural parks in Granada Province. The area around Granada often ranks highly as a choice of venues. One of the main attractions of this beautiful area is the wide variety of landscapes that are available within a very short distance. It is an ideal area for combining a Spanish course with walking holidays.

Do you want to learn Spanish and complement your language course with guided hikes? Hiking in Sierra Nevada, Spain is an experience any lover of nature should have while in Andalucia. The area around Granada often ranks highly as a choice of venues. One of the main attractions of this beautiful area is the wide variety of landscapes that are available within a very short distance.

With time enough, the city offers an unequaled eco-tourism offer. At a short distance, you can enjoy natural sites such as Cahorros, Vereda de la Estrella, Cañada del Sereno in the Natural Park of Sierra de Huétor, routes to understand the water cycle of the Alhambra and much more! You can select from a wide range of walking challenges from very easy to extremely difficult.

The Sierra Nevada National Park offers wonderful views around almost every corner and is one of the highest mountain ranges in Europe. The highest peak is the Mulhacén, which reaches 3478 meters. This and other peaks obviously mean that the Sierra Nevada is an outstanding destination for winter sports such as skiing. What's interesting is that Andalucia remains mild and sunny throughout the winter; while at the same time the Sierra Nevada gets covered in snow.

Visit our website for further informaton about our hiking offers

The Sierra de Huétor and la Alfaguara Natural Park is relatively small and covers 12,127 hectares. It was designated a natural park in 1989 and is characterized by its incredible diversity. Geographically, the limestone bedrock has produced some spectacular ravines, steep cliffs and is home to some of Andalucia's most impressive caves, such as the Cueva del Agua.

The altitude differences are relatively minor when compared to its neighbour, the Sierra Nevada National Park, with heights that range from 1100m to almost 1700m. The highest point being the Cerro Buenavista which stands at 1675m high.

The remains of trenches and fortifications bear witness to the battles that were fought here during the Spanish Civil war. The Cerro de Maúllo was the front line between the Republicans and Nationalists for many years.

Our teacher Paco organized a fantastic hiking tour in the Sierra de Huétor Santillán Natural Parque:

Located above a thousand metres above sea level, Huétor Santillán is part of a mountain range which bears its name and forms the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Huétor. This protected area is surrounded by diverse landscapes, including Mediterranean mountains, canyons, forests of oak and maple trees.

The town is of Arab origin and offers a broad range of outdoor activities, including hiking and cycling. This area is hugely popular among locals and visitors that come here to relax surrounded by nature.

Huétor Santillán has some beautiful places nearby including the Fuente de la Mora, the famous Venta del Molinillo and Prado Negro Village, as well as the sources of the Río Darro and the Río Fardes. Their waters come from the same mountain range, and meet the Río Genil and Río Guadiana Menor respectively.

Then check the tours with Sierra y Sol! One or half day hiking trips around Granada in Andalusia, for those who want to get off the beaten path and like the real natural experience.

Whether you have a day in the south of Spain, do not miss this opportunity to follow your inner adventurer and explore the Natural Parks in Granada.

With our partner company Sierra y Sol you still can enjoy springtime in Andalusia, even with the COVID-19 restrictions.

Check the next tours on the Sierra y Sol Website!

ONE OF THE BEST HIKING TOURS CLOSE TO GRANADA CITY
The Cumbres Verdes (Green Peaks) are well known to the locals as they are very close to Granada city center, so access is easy. In spite of this the walking is quiet and unspoilt and has a certain attraction missing in the higher and wilder Sierra Nevada.

Lush green valleys fight with arid badlands for possession of the land and this gives varied and interesting scenery and views.

Today our teacher Paco has organized a tour to Las Arenales and Dilar Valley.
A circular walk of contrast and delights is one of the 'not to be missed' walks in the Cumbres Verdes area. The arid dryness of the rocky peak of Trevenque and Las Arenales contrast greatly with the green lushness of the upper Dilar valley and gorge.